Latest news with #MohdAzizulhasniAwang
The Star
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Cycling-'Pocket Rocketman' Azizul asks for time to rebuild after Olympic heartbreak
Paris 2024 Olympics - Track Cycling - Men's Sprint, Qualifying - Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France - August 07, 2024. Mohd Azizulhasni Awang of Malaysia in action. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian KUALA LUMPUR -Malaysian cycling hero Azizulhasni Awang has asked for patience as he embarks on an ambitious comeback journey, following his shock decision to postpone retirement after a devastating Olympic exit last year. The two-time Olympic medallist, who has not competed since his disqualification at the Paris Games in August, acknowledged the significant physical conditioning required after eight months away from the sport. "This year is more about rebuilding and regaining my pace. Next year is when I will focus more on building the confidence to win races," Malaysia's Star newspaper reported Azizul as saying. Photos showed the cyclist looking noticeably lighter as he announced he would extend his career and planned to continue racing until the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. "I need some space and time to rebuild what is necessary for me to be competitive again at the highest level," Azizul said. The 37-year-old's Olympic campaign ended in heartbreak when he was disqualified from the keirin competition for moving ahead of the derny in the first-round heat, despite having set a new Malaysian record in the sprint earlier. Nicknamed the "Pocket Rocketman", Azizul pointed to his track record of overcoming adversity. "I've given this a lot of thought as to the challenges I will face. But I am used to making comebacks after facing adversity," he said. "I did it after a huge splinter entered my leg (in 2011) and also after I had heart surgery (in 2022)." Azizul underwent open heart surgery in 2022 to correct a coronary artery anomaly but silenced doubters by winning two Asian Championship gold medals and returning to the world top five rankings. "If I can come back to the highest level at this age, it would be historic. Usually people believe that an athlete's career is done by their late 30s but advancement in sports science means this is no longer the case if you know how to take care of your body," he said. "Cristiano Ronaldo has proven otherwise but I want to show Malaysians that we can also do the same." (Editing by Kate Mayberry)
Malay Mail
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
MNCF open to providing equipment support for ‘Pocket Rocketman' in new professional cycling journey
KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 — The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) is always open to supporting national track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang should he require any assistance to compete in international championships. Its president, Datuk Amarjit Singh, said the federation has no issue providing the necessary equipment needed by Azizulhasni, who has just turned professional. 'If Datuk Azizul wants to use the bicycle, that is not going to be much of a problem. He also has his own bicycle, but if he wishes to use one provided by MNCF, we have no objection. 'We are willing to ensure that he will be given the relevant equipment and resources to help him train for the championships he wants to compete in,' he told reporters at the MNCF Hari Raya Open House yesterday. Amarjit assures The Pocket Rocketman that the federation would continue to support his participation in international events. Last Saturday, Azizulhasni announced his decision to turn professional and continue racing for the next two years under Team Azizul, following a RM200,000 individual grant awarded by the National Sports Council (NSC) until 2026. Among the Key Performance Indicators set by the NSC for the 37-year-old are preparations for the 2026 Asian Games and the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Following his decision, Azizulhasni said he still has his own selection of bicycles, but the best one for him remains the WX-R Vortex, which he used at the Paris Olympics last year. However, he said it would be up to the NSC and MNCF to decide whether to allow him to use that bicycle for training and competitions, given his new status as a professional. — Bernama
Barnama
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
MNCF Open To Supporting Azizulhasni With Equipment
KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) is always open to supporting national track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang should he require any assistance to compete in international championships. Its president, Datuk Amarjit Singh, said the federation has no issue providing the necessary equipment needed by Azizulhasni, who has just turned professional. 'If Datuk Azizul wants to use the bicycle, that is not going to be much of a problem. He also has his own bicycle, but if he wishes to use one provided by MNCF, we have no objection. bootstrap slideshow 'We are willing to ensure that he will be given the relevant equipment and resources to help him train for the championships he wants to compete in,' he told reporters at the MNCF Hari Raya Open House yesterday. Amarjit assures The Pocket Rocketman that the federation would continue to support his participation in international events. Last Saturday, Azizulhasni announced his decision to turn professional and continue racing for the next two years under Team Azizul, following a RM200,000 individual grant awarded by the National Sports Council (NSC) until 2026. Among the Key Performance Indicators set by the NSC for the 37-year-old are preparations for the 2026 Asian Games and the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Following his decision, Azizulhasni said he still has his own selection of bicycles, but the best one for him remains the WX-R Vortex, which he used at the Paris Olympics last year. However, he said it would be up to the NSC and MNCF to decide whether to allow him to use that bicycle for training and competitions, given his new status as a professional.
